Property tax relief, a new external city financial auditor and a last-minute cancellation of a zoning change proposal topped last night’s City Council meeting.

Temporary Disaster Property Tax Relief:

            A representative from the Caldwell County Appraisal District made a presentation to City Council showing how property owners can apply for temporary property tax relief due to damage from Winter Storm Uri. Because Caldwell County is included in Governor Abbott’s disaster declaration, properties that have at least 15-percent damage from the storm may receive a temporary exemption of a portion of its appraised value. 

Qualified property includes:

• Residential buildings (homes)
• Commercial buildings (businesses)
• Industrial buildings (manufacturing)
• Multi-family buildings (apartments)

The deadline to apply is May 28, 2021.

New City Financial Auditor:

City Council appointed BrooksWatson & Co., PLLC from Houston to be the City’s new external financial auditor in the next three years, with the option to extend another two years. That term begins fiscal year ending September 2021. Lockhart’s City Charter requires the City to rotate an external financial auditor every five years. The City’s previous auditor, Harrison, Waldrop, and Uherek, fulfilled its five-year term recently.

Zoning Change Proposal:

                The zoning change applicant withdrew his request to change 11.011 acres at 1820 S. Colorado Street from a Commercial Heavy Business District and Agricultural—Open Space, to Commercial Heavy Business District and Residential Heavy Business District.